December 11, 2012

Pu’eska Mountain Day

By Kerri S. Mabee[I]t was a full house—many donning the orange shirts of those with the anti-quarry movement—that cheered the council’s official proclamation that Nov. 15, 2012—and every Nov. 15 thereafter—was officially Pechanga Pu’eska Mountain Day.

The decree was made in honor of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indian’s stunning announcement on Nov. 15 it had purchased the Liberty Quarry land, effectively putting an end to the years-long battle to repel the proposed construction site from Temecula.

Expressing relief that the battle was over, Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro, joined by other Pechanga tribe members and representatives, accepted the thanks of the council.

“All of us that live here in the valley are special. Our histories are intertwined,” Macarro said.